Phoenix City Council to consider anti-bias measure

PHOENIX -- The Phoenix City Council is scheduled Tuesday to consider a
proposal to expand the city's anti-discrimination law to include protections for
gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people in city contracts, housing,
employment and public accommodations such as restaurants.

The city prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion,
sex, national origin, age, genetic information and marital status.

Mayor Greg Stanton said the changes would help Phoenix compete with cities with
similar laws. He said approval of the proposal would mean employers could not
fire someone for being gay and a hotel could not turn away a same-sex couple.

The proposal has drawn opposition from social conservatives and the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Phoenix.

The diocese contends the proposal is too broadly worded and that it could
trample on religious liberties.